Francis Wambugu Irungu Members of the County Assembly of Kirinyaga on Tuesday, March 11, 2026 passed a motion seeking to ban the sale and distribution of second-generation alcohol in the county, following a wave of deaths, blindness cases and deepening social problems linked to the illicit brew.
The motion, moved by nominated MCA Irene Gathuku, comes on the backdrop of a public health emergency that has already claimed at least 17 lives in Kangai Ward alone.
Speaking on Tuesday, Gathuku said urgent action was needed to save residents from the deadly consequences of unregulated alcohol flooding the county.
“I had to take this bold step because the lives of our people are in danger. Seventeen people have already died in Kangai Ward after consuming this alcohol, and several others have lost their eyesight,” she said.
The MCA warned that beyond the deaths, the illicit brew, manufactured using ethanol and other toxic chemicals, is tearing families apart and fueling a rise in gender-based violence.
“Families are breaking apart because of this alcohol. Cases of gender-based violence are increasing, and many men start drinking very early in the morning and cannot work,” Gathuku said, adding that women have been forced to shoulder the burden of providing for their households alone.
She also raised the alarm over the impact on the youth. “Our young generation is slowly becoming useless in the community because of this alcohol. If we do not act now, we will lose an entire generation,” she warned.
The motion drew strong backing from fellow nominated MCA Lucy Njeri, who questioned how vast quantities of the illicit drinks continue to enter the county unchecked.
“Why is it that this alcohol is everywhere in Kirinyaga? There is a County Policing Authority that should oversee such matters,” said Njeri, revealing that the authority had been given 14 days to table a report before the assembly explaining the existing loopholes.
Njeri also called on NACADA to move beyond its offices and engage directly on the ground. “NACADA should get out of the offices and go to the ground to ensure that whatever people are consuming is legal,” she said.
She further proposed the formation of a multi-agency taskforce to coordinate enforcement across all relevant institutions.
Residents of Kerugoya town welcomed the legislative push. Daniel Kibanya said the ban would go a long way in restoring stability in affected communities. “These cheap alcohol drinks have destroyed many families and if they are banned, it will reduce the level of alcohol consumption,” he said, also calling for tighter regulation of bar opening hours.
The motion now sets the stage for enforcement measures as county leaders race to stem the tide of a crisis threatening to hollow out Kirinyaga’s communities.
